下面我们练习 make up, m-a-k-e u-p, make up 的用法. 这个词组可以用来表示 "和好如初". 现在老师用这个词组提出一些有关南希跟史蒂夫的问题,比方"如 果他们不彼此怨恨,他们会不会和好如初呢?" Would they make up if they didn't resent each other? 然后老师提出 yes 或是 no, 学生就根据他所听到的作肯定 或否定的答覆. 在学生作练习的时候请你也一起作.

M: Have Nancy and Steve always made up before?

M: yes

F: Yes, Nancy and Steve have always made up before.

M: Are they willing to make up this time?

M: no

F: No, they are not willing to make up this time.

M: Would they need a separation if they were willing to make up?

M: no

F: No, they wouldn't need a separation if they were willing to make up.

M: Would they make up if they didn't resent each other?

M: yes

F: Yes, they would make up if they didn't resent each other.

M: Would it be better for their daughter if they made up?

M: yes

F: Yes, it would be better for their daughter if they made up.

四.MAKE UP ONE'S MIND

下面我们学习用make up one's mind 来表示 "打定主意". 比方有一句话: "南希 已经决定不跟史蒂夫和解." 这句话的英文可以这样说:Nancy has made up her mind not to reconcile with Steve.

最后我们学习怎么用英文来表示 "宁愿怎么样也不愿意怎么样". 比方 "婚姻不 美满还不如分居." Having a separation is better than having an unhappy marriage. 这句话可以换一个方式用 would rather, w-o-u-l-d r-a-t-h-e-r, would rather 加上原型动词开头的词组再加上 than, t-h-a-n, than 改成 "我宁愿分居也 不愿意有不美满的婚姻."I would rather have a separation than have an unhappy marriage. 下面我们作一组练习把这两种说法作一个比较. 练习的作法是南希 用 is better than说一句话, 请你用南希作主语再加上would rather ...than 把句子 说出来. 下面就是一个例子:

F: Coping with the high cost of living is better than coping with emotional problems.

M: Nancy would rather cope with the high cost of living than cope with emotional problems.

这组练习比较难, 请你特别用心. 每作完一句老师就会把正确答案念给你听.

F: Having a separation is better than having an unhappy marriage.

M: Nancy would rather have a separation than have an unhappy marriage.

F: Breaking up with Steve is better than having quarrels with him.

M: Nancy would rather break up with Steve than have quarrels with him.

F: Being a single parent is better than staying with Steve.

M: Nancy would rather be a single parent than stay with Steve.

F: Coping with financial problems is better than living with Steve.

M: Nancy would rather cope with financial problems than live with Steve.

F: Coping with the high cost of living is better than coping with emotional problems.

M: Nancy would rather cope with the high cost of living than cope with emotional problems.

九.听短语回答问题

今天我们要听的文章谈到美国一般人的家庭和婚姻状况.

请你注意听.

In the past, American families tended to be quite large. Parents raising five or more children were common. Over the years the size of the family has decreased. One reason for this is an increase in the cost of living.

On the average, children attend schools for more years than they used to, making them financially dependent on their families longer. Moreover, children nowadays are better dressed and have more money to spend on entertainment. The parents usually take the responsibility for all the expenses.

Meanwhile, families are less close than they used to be. More and more American mothers work away from home. The break up of the family occurs when the parent divorce.

A lot of children in the U.S. live part of their young lives with only one parent.

Broken families usually result in problems for children and parents alike. Children blame themselves when their parents separate. They grow up feeling unsettled as they are moved back and forth between parents.

Usually one parent takes the responsibility for raising the children. These single parents must care for the children's emotional and psychological needs while also supporting them financially. This is very demanding and leaves very little time for the parent's own personal interests.

Single parents often marry other single parents. In this type of family, unrelated children are forced to develop brother or sister relationship. The situations of many American families today are not good.

However, recent signs indicate that things are getting better. The divorce rate is declining.

The rate of childbirth is rising. Perhaps Americans have learnd how important families are.